In silico prediction of B cell epitopes and experimental validation on wheat allergens

Background B cell epitopes corresponding to interaction zones between proteins and immune system are a mean to explore intrinsic features of proteins linked to allergenicity. The project PREDEXPITOPE was funded by the French National Research Agency to develop a bioinformatics strategy for prediction of B cell epitopes of allergens. The objective was to distinguish epitopic from non epitopic areas on the basis of frequently used criteria of surface exposition. In silico prediction was confronted with experimental results on wheat allergens.